A historic city in central Sichuan, Ziyang is renowned for the exquisite Anyue Rock Carvings, ancient Buddha statues, and its role as the hometown of the "Ziyang Man" fossils.
Ziyang is a prefecture-level city in east-central Sichuan Province, strategically located halfway between Chengdu and Chongqing. The city has a rich cultural heritage dating back over 35,000 years to the "Ziyang Man," one of the earliest modern human fossils discovered in China.
The city's crown jewel is the Anyue Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate featuring over 100,000 Buddhist statues carved across 70 sites during the Tang and Song dynasties. These carvings rival the better-known Dazu Rock Carvings in artistic quality and historical significance.
Ziyang is also known as China's "Lemon Capital," producing over 70% of the country's lemons. The region's fertile soil and favorable climate make it an agricultural powerhouse, while its transportation links support growing manufacturing and logistics industries.
The Ziyang region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the "Ziyang Man" skull fossil discovered in 1951, dating back approximately 35,000 years. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the area was part of the ancient Shu kingdom.
The Buddhist rock carvings at Anyue began in the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) and continued through the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD), making the area an important center of Buddhist art in Sichuan.
Ziyang was formally established as a prefecture-level city in 1998, splitting from the former Neijiang region. The city has since developed rapidly, leveraging its transportation advantages between Chengdu and Chongqing.
Ziyang's economy is dominated by agriculture, particularly lemon cultivation — the city produces over 70% of China's lemons. The Anyue lemon has received geographical indication protection. Other important agricultural products include oranges, tea, and vegetables. The city is developing automotive parts manufacturing and logistics industries, leveraging its location on the Chengdu-Chongqing economic corridor.
Discover the culinary treasures of Ziyang, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Ziyang is served by Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (about 60 km) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
Ziyang Railway Station has high-speed trains connecting to Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi'an.
City buses and long-distance buses connect all districts and counties.
Available throughout the city
Mar - May
Mild temperatures, blooming flowers. Lemon orchards in full blossom. Excellent for outdoor exploration.
Jun - Aug
Hot and humid with frequent rain. The rock carving sites are cooler in the shade.
Sep - Nov
Best season — cool, dry, and sunny. The countryside is beautiful with autumn colors.
Dec - Feb
Cold and damp but generally above freezing. Few tourists.
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